The Indian Air Force (IAF) is witnessing an unusually rapid turnover at its highest command and staff levels. Between April and September this year, five Commanders-in-Chief (C-in-C) level officers have either retired / or would superannuating (as they say in sarkari-speak), apart from the Chief of Air Staff, bringing in a rush of fresh blood to the top in quick time.
It began with Air Marshal SK Ghotia, who retired as C-in-C, South Western Air Command (SWAC), headquartered at Gandhinagar on April 30. Air Marshal Sandeep Singh has taken charge at SWAC since then. Air Marshal Sandeep Singh was Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS) in New Delhi before moving to Gandhinagar.
Coming Monday, on 31st May, Air Marshal Amit Tiwari, C-in-C, Central Air Command will retire followed by retirement of Air Marshal HS Arora, the current Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS) on 30 June. Air Marshal Arora will be succeeded by Air Marshal VR Chaudhari, currently, C-in-C, Western Air Command, headquartered in Delhi.
On 31st July, the C-in-C, Air Force Training Command, based in Bengaluru, Air Marshal RD Mathur will retire followed by superannuation of Air Marshal Rajesh Singh, currently heading the tri-services Strategic Forces Command (SFC), on 31 August.
Finally, current Air Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, is scheduled to retire from service on September 30.
Team BharatShakti
